MLB Player News
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Cristian Javier SP | HOU
Astros' Cristian Javier: Underwhelms in first rehab start
Javier (shoulder) recorded two outs -- both via strikeout -- and was charged with two earned runs on two hits and two walks in a rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Corpus Christi.
Javier made his first appearance at any level in nearly two months, as he's been on the Astros' injured list since April 10 due to a Grade 2 right shoulder strain. Given the long layoff, some rust was to be expected from the right-hander during the rehab outing, but he still fell short of the Astros' goal of reaching at least two innings and 30-to-35 pitches, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Javier needed 28 pitches just to generate two outs, though on a positive note, his fastball velocity sat around his pre-injury levels at 92-to-93 mph during the outing, per Javier Gonzalez of PelotaCubanaUSA.com. The 29-year-old will probably require at least three more rehab starts to build up his pitch count and re-emerge as a viable option for the Houston rotation.
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Casey Mize SP | DET
Tigers' Casey Mize: Trending toward short IL stint
Mize (adductor) tossed a bullpen session Tuesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Detroit placed Mize on the 15-day injured list Friday due to right adductor inflammation, but his ability to step back on the mound just a few days later suggests that he's tracking toward an abbreviated stint on the shelf. The Tigers haven't decided on Mize's next steps, but assuming he bounces back well from the side session, he'll likely advance to facing hitters by the weekend. He's eligible to return from the IL on June 12 and could be activated without requiring a rehab assignment beforehand.
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MacKenzie Gore SP | TEX
Rangers' MacKenzie Gore: Lasts 4.2 innings in loss
Gore (4-5) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Cardinals after allowing four runs on nine hits and three walks across 4.2 innings. He struck out five.
Gore was coming off back-to-back quality starts against the Angels and Royals, allowing just one run over 12.1 innings in that span, but he couldn't keep that streak going and didn't even complete the fifth inning Wednesday. The four runs allowed were the most Gore had surrendered since May 7, when he gave up five in a loss to the Yankees. Now sporting a 2.77 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over his last five starts, Gore will aim to bounce back in his next outing, scheduled for next week on the road against the Royals.
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Jeffrey Springs SP | ATH
Athletics' Jeffrey Springs: Struggles in no-decision
Springs didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Cubs. He allowed four runs on seven hits, including two home runs, and a walk across 3.2 innings while striking out three.
Springs has given up at least four earned runs in three of his last five appearances, and he's failed to pitch past the fifth inning in his last two starts. Over that five-start stretch, the 33-year-old southpaw owns a 5.19 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, but perhaps the most concerning stat is the seven homers he's conceded over the 26-inning sample. Springs will aim to bounce back in his next start, scheduled for next week at home against the Brewers.
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Jordan Montgomery SP | TEX
Rangers' Jordan Montgomery: Throws live BP
Montgomery (elbow) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Montgomery continues to grind away at his rehab from left UCL surgery. He's looking at an early August return.
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Walbert Urena SP | LAA
Angels' Walbert Urena: Picks up third win
Urena (3-4) allowed three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win over the Rockies on Wednesday.
Urena picked up his fifth quality start of the season, though his six-start stretch of allowing two runs or fewer came to a close. The seven strikeouts were one off his season high, as well. Urena is quickly becoming a reliable arm for the Angels with a 2.68 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 48:28 K:BB through 50.1 innings over 11 games (nine starts). Urena still walks a few too many batters (5.0 BB/9), but he's given up only four homers this season to help limit the damage. He's projected for a home start versus the Astros next week.
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Spencer Arrighetti SP | HOU
Astros' Spencer Arrighetti: First rough start of season
Arrighetti allowed four runs on six hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out three over four innings in a no-decision Wednesday versus the Pirates.
Arrighetti ran into trouble in the fourth inning, serving up a grand slam to Henry Davis. This was the first bad outing of the season for Arrighetti -- he had gone at least five innings without allowing more than three runs in any of his first eight games. He's now at a 1.94 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 46:27 K:BB through 51 innings this season. A 4.8 BB/9 and 4.17 FIP suggest he's been fortunate so far, though the walk figure is a mark in line with his career norms. His next start is projected to be on the road versus the Angels.
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Stephen Kolek SP | KC
Royals' Stephen Kolek: Season-high eight strikeouts
Kolek took a no-decision Wednesday against the Reds, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out eight.
Kolek fanned a season-high eight Wednesday in what was already his fourth quality start over six outings for the year. The 29-year-old right-hander has been outstanding since coming over from the Padres at last year's trade deadline, posting a 2.66 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB over 71 career innings for the Royals dating back to last season. Kolek, who next lines up to take the ball at home versus the Rangers, is making a strong case to remain in Kansas City's rotation even once Cole Ragans (elbow) is healthy.
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Patrick Corbin SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Patrick Corbin: Takes home the loss
Corbin (2-2) picked up the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings during a 7-3 loss against Atlanta. He struck out one.
Corbin gave up his most runs since his first start with the Blue Jays, including what proved to be the game-deciding three-run homer to Mauricio Dubon in the third shortly after Toronto took the lead. This was Corbin's 12th straight loss to Atlanta and ended his streak of nine consecutive outings allowing three runs or fewer. Overall, the lefty has been a reliable option on the mound this season for the Blue Jays with a 3.98 ERA and a 37:16 K:BB over 54.1 innings. Corbin is projected to pitch at home next week against the Phillies.
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Payton Tolle SP | BOS
Red Sox's Payton Tolle: Six shutout innings in third win
Tolle (3-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Orioles, allowing no runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.
Tolle danced around plenty of pressure Wednesday, throwing just one clean inning on the evening, but he still managed to deliver his second scoreless start of the campaign. The 23-year-old left-hander is showing great improvement at keeping the ball in the yard this year, serving up just three home runs over 47.1 innings after giving up five across just 16.1 frames last regular season. Tolle will carry an impressive 2.28 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 51:13 K:BB into his next scheduled outing in Tampa Bay against the Rays.